One Chicago Center
Fansided

Rochelle Aytes will not return as a regular in SWAT season 8

The actress will be be moving over to another show full-time.

By Danilo Castro

“Forget Shorty” – SWAT teams up with the DEA, led by Mack Boyle (guest star Timothy Hutton), to conduct a massive gang sweep, only to discover that a vicious cartel is planting roots in the city and endangering numerous lives. Also, Hicks marks an important anniversary, on part one of the sixth season finale of S.W.A.T., Friday, May 12 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*. Pictured (L-R): Rochelle Aytes as Nichelle and
“Forget Shorty” – SWAT teams up with the DEA, led by Mack Boyle (guest star Timothy Hutton), to conduct a massive gang sweep, only to discover that a vicious cartel is planting roots in the city and endangering numerous lives. Also, Hicks marks an important anniversary, on part one of the sixth season finale of S.W.A.T., Friday, May 12 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*. Pictured (L-R): Rochelle Aytes as Nichelle and /
facebooktwitterreddit

SWAT may be coming back for an eighth season after a late in the game renewal, but it will be a little bit lighter in terms of its main cast. Rochelle Aytes, the actress who plays Nichelle Carmichael, has not been invited back as a series regular per Deadline.

The outlet reports that the decision was made by SWAT producers, who felt that the character would better serve the show as a recurring cast member. Aytes will still be a part of the show, but most of her time will be dedicated to her new gig on the CBS procedural drama Watson.

Rochelle Aytes will be reduced to the recurring cast

Last Call
“Last Call” – After the shocking shooting of a member of 20-Squad, Hondo and the team launch a citywide manhunt for the robbery crew responsible. Meanwhile, Deacon’s plans for his future hit a snag, and Powell and Alfaro clash over a tricky issue, on S.W.A.T., Friday, April 5 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode /

Given that CBS runs SWAT and Watson, it makes sense that they would prioritize Aytes' screen time in a way that they feel would maximize the success of both shows. SWAT will be giving less screen time to Nichelle, and will instead be focusing on a new member of the titular team. Nobody has been cast in the role yet, but Deadline claims there's a possibility for the character to be promoted to main cast member in season 8.

Aytes, meanwhile, will continue to make occasional appearances as the wife of SWAT protagonist Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson (Shemar Moore). She made her debut in the third season, when she was a recurring character, before being promoted series regular in seasons 6 and 7.

She will star on the new CBS drama Watson

Rochelle Aytes
CBS Fall Schedule Celebration / Frazer Harrison/GettyImages

When placed in the framework of the show as a whole, it's not that major of a change. Plus, Aytes will have more time to play Dr. Mary Morstan, the medical director on the show Watson. She will also be the wife of the titular character, who is played by Morris Chestnut.

SWAT showrunner Andrew Dettman talked to TV Line about the difficulty of making a series finale and then being told that he had another season to go, and how that impacted the casting decisions moving forward. He told the outlet that he wasn't yet sure how season 8 was going to shake out, but was happy with the way season 7 wrapped, regardless.

Hopefully Nichelle and Hondo get a happy ending!

Next. S. Chicago PD just pulled off an insane cameo. dark

Home/TV